How to Choose the Right Printer: Key Questions Everyone Should Ask

Without going Up Hill & Down Dale........
31 August 2024 by
OfficeWyse Team
| No comments yet

Are you wondering whether to go for an inkjet or laser printer, or debating between black-and-white or colour? Finding the right printer for your specific needs can be a challenge, especially if you're looking for high-quality prints at a low cost. Here’s our expert guide to help you make the best decision.


What Will You Use Your Printer For?

Before choosing a printer, it’s important to consider what you’ll primarily use it for. Here are some common purposes:


- Photos: Borderless printing for professional or personal use

- Printing on thicker card: Ideal for craft projects or presentations

- Copying: Single or multi-page document copies

- Scanning: Single or multi-page document scanning

- Presentations: Automatic double-sided printing for efficiency

- General Printing: Color or black-and-white for everyday use

- High Volume Printing: For offices that require constant document production

- Special Needs: Extra trays for letterhead or different paper types


How Will You Print?

Consider how you’ll connect to your printer:

- Wired: Directly to a computer

- Networked: For use by multiple devices in an office

- Wireless: Printing from laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other devices

- Inkjet or Laser: Inkjet for photos and colour, or laser for high-volume, efficient black-and-white printing


Key Questions to Ask:

1. How much should I spend?

   - A basic inkjet printer can cost under £50, but more advanced models, such as all-in-one laser printers, start around £150.

2. What are the running costs?

   - Inkjet printers may have cheaper upfront costs, but higher long-term ink expenses. Laser printers, while pricier initially, often have lower running costs per page. Although things are changing with the latest Ink tank printers that are replacing the smaller laser printers. 

3. What type of printer should I choose?

   - Inkjet or laser? All-in-one for scanning, copying, and printing? Photo printers? Each type serves a different purpose, so consider your main tasks.

4. Wireless or not?

   - Wireless printers offer flexibility, allowing multiple devices to connect without the need for cables, and often come with mobile printing apps and cloud services like Apple Air Print and Google Cloud Print.


Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are versatile and great for printing high-quality photos and documents. They tend to be smaller and quieter than laser printers, making them ideal for home offices. However, they are more expensive to run due to higher ink costs.


Pros:

- Great for photos and colour prints

- Compact and quiet

- Affordable upfront cost


Cons:

- Higher running costs

- Slower at printing black text than laser printers


Laser Printers

Laser printers excel at printing high volumes of black-and-white text quickly. While colour laser printers are available, they are more expensive than inkjets. They are ideal for business environments where speed and efficiency are critical.


Pros:

- Fast and efficient, especially for black-and-white prints

- Lower cost per page

- Handles heavy workloads


Cons:

- More expensive upfront

- Bulkier and noisier than inkjets

- Not ideal for high-quality photo printing


All-in-One Printers

All-in-one printers combine printing, scanning, copying, and sometimes faxing into one device. They are available in both inkjet and laser models and are great for offices that require multiple functions.


Pros:

- Multifunctional: Print, scan, copy, and fax

- Wireless options available


Cons:

- Larger and take up more space


Photo Printers

Photo printers specialize in printing high-quality images. Some are dedicated to small-format photo printing, while others can print larger, poster-sized prints. Look for models with dedicated photo cartridges for the best results.


Pros:

- Optimized for high-quality photo printing

- Great for photography enthusiasts


Cons:

- Limited to photo printing

- More expensive than standard printers


A3 Printers

For those who need to print larger documents or posters, A3 printers offer the ability to print on larger sheets. These printers are ideal for graphic designers, architects, and anyone needing large-format prints.


Pros:

- Prints on large A3 paper

- Great for posters and large documents


Cons:

- Takes up more space

- More expensive than standard A4 printers


Should You Opt for a Black-and-White or Colour Printer?

Mono laser printers are cheaper and ideal for black-and-white document printing. However, if you need the flexibility to print in colour, opt for a colour printer. Colour printing makes your printer more versatile and is worth considering for occasional photo or colour document printing.


Final Considerations

- Do you need fast printouts or high quality? For speed, choose a laser printer. For quality, an inkjet might be better.

- How many devices will print to the same printer? If you have multiple devices, consider a networked or wireless printer.

- How important are running costs? While laser printers have higher upfront costs, they’re often cheaper in the long run due to lower per-page costs.


Whether you need a budget inkjet printer or a business-ready laser printer, understanding your needs will help you find the right model. Explore different features and running costs to ensure you get the best value for your money.

Tags
Our blogs
Archive
Sign in to leave a comment